NEW ZEALAND Welcome: Simon Levine, Global Co-CEO
What makes us different Share Our Vision Vital statistics Shape Your Future Our awards
Diversity, inclusion and www.dlapipergraduates.com inspiring women leaders
Giving something back
Our global presence SHARE OUR VISION SHAPE YOUR FUTURE
Our Vision is to be the Leading Global Business Law Firm
Leading Being a first-choice legal adviser for our clients who range from multinational, Global 1000, and Fortune 500 enterprises to emerging companies developing industry-leading technologies.
Global Helping companies with their legal needs anywhere in the world by delivering a consistently high-quality service globally.
Business Providing clients with essential business advice, on everything from large scale mergers and acquisitions and banking deals to people and employment, commercial dealings, litigation, insurance, real estate, IT, intellectual property and plans for restructuring.
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Contents
Welcome: Simon Levine, Global Co-CEO 04
What makes us different 06
Vital statistics 08
Martin Wiseman, NZ Country Managing Partner 10
Our awards 11
Diversity, inclusion and inspiring women leaders 12
Giving something back 14
Our global presence 16
Putting you at the heart of business 17
A week in the life of a trainee: Tim Galland 18
Our practice groups 20
My international secondment: Hannah Stranford 22
Your development 24
From summer clerk to partner: Reuben Woods 26
What we look for 28
Application process and timeline 29
3 “We can give you the best possible platform to achieve your potential” Life moves fast at DLA Piper, and with good reason
As a leading global law firm, we work with a number of the world’s top companies on business-critical issues in ever changing markets. Our clients cannot afford to stand still and that means neither can we.
We pride ourselves on thinking nimbly, creatively from the other side of the world and be able to count and commercially to seize opportunities. They’re on their support and advice. It also means you’ll build qualities that have not only led us to become the most strong relationships with talented lawyers from every innovative firm in our sector; they have also driven our corner of the world. And perhaps most excitingly, it phenomenal growth over the last 12 years. means you can take on overseas assignments and gain international experience. So what does all this mean for you? Simply, that if you’re as ambitious and inquisitive as we All this is just a glimpse of what we have to offer, but I are, you’ll fit in well at DLA Piper. We work with many hope it inspires you to find out more. In my view, there’s exciting clients across the world and the deals we advise never been a more exciting time to join DLA Piper. As a on are often complex and challenging – transcending firm we are united behind a global strategy that will help not just practice areas, but borders, languages and us achieve our aim of being the trusted business adviser legal systems. of choice for our clients and will see us grow still further. So while we’re proud of our accomplishments so far, Our global network has significant benefits. On a we’re even more excited about the future. day-to-day level, it means you can ring a colleague
Simon Levine Global Co-CEO and Managing Partner SHARE OUR VISION SHAPE YOUR FUTURE
What Makes Us Different
Our vision is to be the leading global business law firm. But how are we achieving that – and what makes us different? WWW.DLAPIPER.COM
#2 Most Powerful Law Firm Brand in the World Acritas Global Elite Law Firm Brand Index 2019
We’re innovative We do high- You will find yourself in a close‑knit, DLA Piper has spearheaded many profile work diverse and supportive team. innovations in the legal sector. DLA Piper offers the opportunity to Partners will know your name So much so, we were named do work that matters. Here are just and take an interest in your ‘Game-Changing Law Firm of the three recent examples: we advised development. In fact, our culture Past Ten Years’ (Financial Times Vodafone on its acquisition of a is something that surprises many Innovative Lawyers Award, 2015). large cable operator (a €7.2 billion people. Lawyers who join us from Many of these innovations will deal); we supported Uber with its other firms are often struck by empower you. real estate needs in the UK, USA, how friendly, collaborative and Australia, Netherlands and Egypt; we approachable we are. For example, across some areas advised the English Premier League of our business through our Legal on all aspects of its broadcasting. We have strong Delivery Centre, we’ve taken away sector expertise a number of administrative tasks – We’re going places We value the importance of thereby increasing efficiencies for DLA Piper is a firm with ambition. providing sector expertise to our the client and freeing you to focus Since our formation in 2005, we’ve international clients. Our sector on strategic client work. more than trebled in size, making approach promotes cross-practice us one of the most successful law and cross-jurisdiction working We’re truly global and firms of recent times. We have even and ensures we are strengthening full service bigger plans for the future, which the engagement we have with Because our clients are often means even more possibilities our key clients. As a firm we are global, we have to be too. Sharing for your career. Just as we grow, particularly proud to actively our insights, we work together so will you. support 15 sectors which we are across borders and jurisdictions to continually investing in. provide a seamless service to our We’re supportive clients. As well as having a global We may be one of the biggest law team of experts at your disposal, firms in the world, but it never feels this will mean real opportunities like that. to work abroad and gain international exposure.
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Vital Statistics
DLA Piper has the size and scope to fulfil your ambition whether you’re seeking challenging work, international exposure or the chance to give something back.
90+ 40+ #1 Number of DLA Piper offices Number of countries in In the world by a volume of around the world which we operate M&A transactions
2005 US $6.5m The year we became a world- 15 Committed to Unicef as part leading business law firm, Industry sectors in which of a three-year partnership following the largest merger in we operate the history of the profession
200,000+ US $2.84 bn 8 Number of hours we devoted Global revenue in Practice groups in which our to pro bono work in 2018 $USD billionsfor 2018 lawyers specialise
100+ 10 New international 4,795+ Key sectors that we secondment opportunities Lawyers Globally serve globally created every year
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In everything we do connected with our People, our Clients and our Communities, we live by these values:
Be Supportive Be Collaborative
We treat everyone fairly and with respect and courtesy. We exhibit a global mind set by celebrating our geographic diversity and working seamlessly We are inclusive, approachable and supportive of our across borders. clients and colleagues. We reach out to others, give help willingly and make We make a positive contribution to our local and ourselves available when needed. global communities. We listen attentively and value new ideas and perspectives.
Be Bold Be Exceptional
We are strategic and future orientated, always thinking We focus on delivering the highest standard of legal and planning ahead. advice and service excellence.
We challenge, and are open to being challenged. We get to the heart of issues and challenges and provide pragmatic, commercial solutions. We are resilient, we adapt quickly. We guide and help others do the same. We operate with transparency and work efficiently to deliver value.
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If you want to become an international We know the lawyer you’ve come to the right place. real exposure DLA Piper is a truly global law firm with and experience operations in over 40 countries. We help the world’s top companies with their you gain will business-critical issues. define your Our business is all about responding to our clients’ needs. So, legal career we look for those who understand from the outset that our job is to make life easier for our clients, and have the vision to look beyond and understand the real world of our clients, their business, their markets and their needs.
If you’re looking for exceptional technical challenges in a fast-paced commercial environment, you’ll find it with us. Many of the deals we work on are complex and challenging – transcending not just the practice areas, but borders, languages and legal systems.
We have a strong presence in what is still a rapid-growing market. We are nimble, agile and driven. What’s more, with an outward interest on multijurisdictional work, our regional hub here in New Zealand is perfectly poised to seize international as well as local opportunities.
DLA Piper has the scale and scope to accommodate almost any ambition.
We deliberately offer a handful of sought-after graduate law clerk contracts in New Zealand. This means you’ll experience a first class journey, with full participation in real work. You’ll be in the engine room of legal advice from the very beginning, all with our support. We know that the real exposure and experience you gain will develop and define your legal career.
We also understand the importance of a diverse and inclusive culture to attract the best talent and deliver the highest level of client service. This is something we’re making great progress on both locally and globally.
To make the most of the opportunities here, you need to have plenty of enthusiasm, energy and drive. You should embrace the two rotations and new teams to work with, and see it as a An interview with learning opportunity. Martin Wiseman
New Zealand Country “You’ll be in the engine room of legal Managing Partner who originally advice from the very beginning, with all joined DLA Piper following our support.” University
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Our Awards
If being one of the fastest-growing law firms wasn’t reward enough, we have also won widespread industry recognition – for both innovation and quality. Here are a few of our most recent awards.
#1 in Global Game-Changing M&A Deal Law Firm of the Volume Past Ten Years (FINANCIAL TIMES (MERGERMARKET 2019) INNOVATIVE LAWYERS AWARD 2015)
Employer of Most Best Firm for Choice for Female‑Friendly Pro Bono Work Gender Equality Law Firm in (ASIA WOMEN IN New Zealand BUSINESS LAW (WGEA, AUSTRALIAN AWARDS 2016) GOVERNMENT 2019) (LAWFUEL 2017)
#2 Law Firm Providing #4 Law Firm Value for the Dollar Law Firm of By Revenue to In House Counsel the Year
(THE AM LAW 100 2019) (BTI CLIENT SERVICE (JUVE AWARDS 2016) A-TEAM 2019)
NZ’s Most Female #3 Law Firm for Friendly Law #4 Law Firm Global Reach Firm for Equity for Client and Breadth of Partners Service International Work (LAWFUEL GENDER (BTI CLIENT SERVICE A-TEAM 2019) (LAW360 2018) SURVEY 2019)
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Diversity, inclusion and inspiring women leaders
“Diversity, inclusion and equality are fundamental to our business and are key components of our vision and values.”
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At DLA Piper, diversity, inclusion and equality are Chief Operating Officer, Chair of our LAW programme, and our a part of how we live our values. We are one of the management team is 80% female. world’s largest law firms, with lawyers and staff in Our Leadership Alliance for Women more than 40 countries throughout the Americas, (LAW) programme is a global Asia Pacific, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. initiative to provide current and future leaders with opportunities to Our people reflect the diversity of our clients build valuable business connections, and the many communities and markets where develop client relationships and strengthen leadership skills for we work. future success.
With offices worldwide, our To be a true leading global business DLA Piper has also established efforts to understand, value and law firm also involves being a a range of initiatives promoting incorporate differences are woven global leader in the advancement diversity on other dimensions in into our culture. of women lawyers. Throughout our New Zealand. We have a very strong regions, we aggressively pursue diversity and inclusion culture, We are defined by our people strategies to retain, promote, and with approximately a third of our and are committed to recruiting, develop our women lawyers. employees in New Zealand currently developing and retaining the highest belonging to one of the firm’s calibre of professionals. We believe In New Zealand we have a strong diversity and inclusion committees. that fostering diversity and inclusion partnership of diverse professionals. allows us to acquire the most A large percent of our partners are Our commitment to inclusion talented people, to build the most women 43% with some featuring ensures our graduates receive full effective teams for our clients, and strongly in leadership roles in the opportunity for involvement and deliver the highest level of service. firm, including Board membership, development, including access to the best resources. Essentially, they get real legal exposure and experience that is career defining.
“We are defined by our people and are committed to recruiting, developing and retaining the highest calibre of professionals.”
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Giving something back
DLA Piper is committed to being a responsible business. No matter where you’re based in our global network, you’ll have a part to play in that effort too.
Every lawyer is encouraged to perform at least 35 hours of pro bono work each year. What’s more, in some of our offices, employees are encouraged to spend two days a year participating in firm-organised community activities.
Pro bono work In 2018, our global network devoted over 200,000 hours to pro bono initiatives. This alone make us one of the world’s largest providers of pro bono legal services.
We run legal clinics in most countries where we are based. For you, it’s an opportunity to help vulnerable people in your community. Working with law centres and frontline agencies, you could find yourself providing advice on topics such as asylum and immigration, unlawful detention, or even business advice.
There’s also the opportunity to help further afield too. New Perimeter, our non-profit affiliate, enables our lawyers to provide pro bono legal assistance in under- served regions around the world.
Global Scholarships We offer Global Scholarships to undergraduate law students from ten of the least developed countries, as recognised by the United Nations. The Scholarship is open to high achieving students who would not otherwise have access to the role models, work experience, mentoring and financial assistance this programme provides.
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UNICEF fundraising DLA Piper is a global partner of UNICEF, and has been since 2013. In our five year partnership, the firm has donated US$1.4 million and more than 18,000 hours of pro bono support , involving more than 500 staff members across 35 offices globally.
One of our most notable fundraisers was the UNICEF Global Challenge. This saw 39 colleagues from offices across the network complete a trek through the Simien mountains in Ethiopia. Together, they raised over £140,000 for child justice programmes.
“Every lawyer is encouraged to perform at least 35 hours of pro bono work each year”
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Our Global Presence
Our global network is comprised of eight practice groups, each focusing on a different area of law. These are spread over six regions across the world. Within each practice group, we also have industry sector specialists.
All these teams work fluidly together. So while you might join a particular practice group and specialise in a specific industry, you’ll regularly collaborate with colleagues from other practices, sectors and regions – broadening your exposure still further.
DLA Piper presence
Cooperation firm